Battlefield High School FRC Robotics Team 1885 wins Chairman's Award at Greater DC District Competition

Battlefield Robotics FRC Team ILITE 1885 traveled to Bethesda competing at Walt Whitman High School advancing to the semifinals with their robot and claiming the Chairman's Award for the Greater DC District competition.  The Chairman's Award is the most prestigious award a team can win, more so than winning the competition itself.  The Chairman's Award recognizes the team that demonstrates exceptional success in spreading their commitment to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in their school, throughout their local community and supporting STEM education nationally and internationally.  Competing for the Chairman's Award involves writing an extensive essay documenting the team's efforts to support robotics and STEM, a live presentation to a panel of judges followed by Q&A with the judges and a three minute video.

Established in 2005 with thirty-two students, ILITE FRC Team 1885 is today one of the largest robotics programs in the mid-Atlantic region.  ILITE FRC team 1885 based at Battlefield High School in Prince William County, Virginia is coached by Professor Gail Drake.  ILITE stands for Inspiring Leaders in Technology and Engineering.  Since winning Rookie All Star in 2006 at the FIRST Championship, ILITE FRC Team 1885 has won numerous awards including  regional Chairman's Awards and five regional Engineering Inspiration Awards.  ILITE Team 1885 engages in extensive outreach to share their love of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by holding STEM summer camps, hosting an annual STEM Expo, advocating for STEM education with national politicians and supporting robotics education at local elementary schools as well as schools in Haiti and Malaysia.  To learn more about ILITE FRC Team 1885, go to http://www.ilite.us.  Donations to support ILITE FRC Team 1885 may be sent to the attention of US STEM Foundation, 7371 Atlas Walk Way, #242, Gainesville, VA  20155.